USDA GAIN: Livestock and Products

USDA GAIN: Brazil Livestock and Products Annual 2014

Post forecasts 2015 production and exports of beef to increase by three and ten percent, respectively. This forecast is driven by greater availability of cattle for slaughter, stable domestic cattle prices, and the ongoing depreciation of the Brazilian currency. These factors will likely make Brazilian beef highly competitive in the world market. Pork production and exports are also forecast to increase in 2015 by five and 21 percent, respectively. Driving forces are lower feed costs due to record soybean and corn crops and higher exports due to the weaker Brazilian real and greater demand from the Russian Federation. In general, high indebtedness of Brazilian consumers is the main constraint for a smaller growth path for domestic demand for animal protein.